SRK's mega charity show for the disabled

Bollywood vs cricket

NCPEDP was established 10 years ago by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Action Aid. Says Javed Abidi, executive director, "Since we were in our 10th year, we decided to raise funds for NCPEDP's corpus fund. Since funds can be raised either through cricket or Bollywood charity matches, we decided to approach Shah Rukh. I met Shah Rukh through someone who knew him."

When did he meet Shah Rukh? "I met him in September. He was just leaving for USA for Karan Johar's film. It was the middle of the night, but he agreed to do it on the spot. Shah Rukh was stressed and tired, as he was practicing for a show, but when he met me, he was extremely focussed.

In the 40 minutes that I was with him, I found him to be a very nice, down-to-earth human being. Unlike some stars whose attention wanders, he was attentive and asked me lots of questions. At the end of it he said, 'Yes, I will do it'. I gave him some material to read and after that my second meeting him was on December 17."

Shah Rukh cooperative

Did his impression change? "No. He has always been very cooperative. What impressed me tremendously was that at the press meet, Shah Rukh said NCPEDP in one breath, without stumbling over it like most people do! He had read the material. It's difficult to pronounce; even some of my staffers stumble over it."

Christmas date

Abidi says initially the charity show was to be held on December 11, "but the preparations were not complete. The Indo-Sri Lanka cricket match was taking place during that time, so we decided to postpone it. The fresh date was set for December 24.

The police were initially reluctant, as it would be crowded on Christmas day and difficult to have proper security arrangements, but things worked out. When we approached Shah Rukh again to confirm his date he readily agreed. He even got Rani, Priyanka, Zayed and Esha with him."

Shah Rukh Khan says, "When NCPEDP came to me, I said why not? I am thrilled to take part in this opportunity that NCPEDP. Quelling our greed, let's do something for a cause. If we can contribute in making the world a better and more beautiful place in a small way, let's do it.

There can never be enough of what one can do for people. I have never thought disabled people to be different from us. They are very strong people and don't need sympathy."

NCPEDP achievements

Abidi says, "NCPEDP is not an advocacy organization, imparting training or having specialist schools for the disabled. We change policies at the grassroot level. For example, from 1977 to 1995, there was three per cent reservation for the disabled only for the C and D categories.

This meant the disabled could apply only for posts for chaprasis and clerks, and not for officers. This was humiliating and demeaning. We got that changed. Today there is three per cent reservation for all categories."

Another of NCPEDP's successes in the field of awareness includes a movement to make all public places accessible. A series of disability audits were launched throughout the country in partnership with Disabled People's International.